Our Family of Five

There are about a thousand little details to this trip, but we are plugging along and getting them done. And along the way, we are trying to mix in some fun with the boys because being away from them for two weeks is going to feel like forever. So yesterday, Steve took the day off and we got lots of things accomplished, and then took the boys to Berlin Turnpike Go-Carts to play mini golf, ride bumper boats and go-carts, and enjoy some fun time with our boys. They are going to be wonderful big brothers. They have been part of this process since day one, and they have really been amazing through these crazy past few months. They are both so excited to meet their new sister and are already planning all of the things they want to do with her. It has been amazing to see the way they have always included their sister in our family for the past four years. They were only ages 2 and 4 when we started this process. This adoption has been part of their lives since then. They have never let go of the fact that there was one more member of our family, who we just hadn't met yet. They always told everyone they had a sister, even before they had any idea who she might be. They kept us going, even during the times we may have felt like we might never get to this point. The day Steve and I were able to show them her face for the first time was one of the most amazing moments we had. They accepted her so instantly and love her so sweetly. They want to show her everything. They want to read her stories and help her learn English. They are going to be the best big brothers. I am so proud of them. I am going to miss them like crazy while we are in China. So sweet will be the day when our family will be complete again. All five of us.

Making Room for Maisey

As a Dad, you seldom get that "nesting" instinct that Moms get. But this time I got an overwhelming urge the make sure we got Maisey's room ready. For me, that meant painting the walls and assembling the furniture. I got the urge to "get 'er done" two weekends back. I just decided that now was the time. I kept saying to Lisa that Maisey is coming in early August. I've been saying it for quite a while. I don't know why I knew, I just did.

Let me just say that I hate painting, but God has a sense of humor and has gifted me with a great talent for painting. So, to paraphrase Eric Liddell (Olympic runner from Chariots of Fire) "God made me good at painting, and when I paint I feel God's pleasure." Okay, maybe that a touch over stated, but suffice to say the room came out great. We decided after two boys we wanted to do something different. Very different. No pinks or Barbies or anything like that, but instead a cultural theme. We have dragon flies, flowers and even a Chinese lantern. We hope our Maisey enjoys the new digs. Photos below.

--Steve

We're Outta Here!!!!

We just received confirmation of our appointment with the US Consulate in Guanzhou, China. We are leaving next Thursday for Bejing and will meet Maisey the following Monday! We're coming to get you soon, sweet girl!!!

WOOHOO!!!! We Got A Travel Approval Today!!!!

Wow! I am overwhelmed with joy! The Travel Approval that could take 3-8 weeks has come in 1 week! God is so good! So now, we had to give our choices to the Consulate for travel dates. We have requested next Friday, August 9th, as our departure date. We have to wait for the Consulate to confirm before we will know for sure. Our second choice is the following Friday, but we are going to meet Maisey very, very soon! We are hoping for sooner, rather than later, but we will take it whenever it comes.

Onward and Forward

We received a letter from the US Consulate in Guangzhou, China that our Article 5 was picked up on Friday, July 20th and was delivered to the CCCWA today. Yay! It is the CCCWA who will then issue our Travel Approval. Once we get this approval, we can schedule our visa appointments with the Consulate and make travel plans! This is the last leg of the paperwork chase!

On that note, we had a crazy, but amazing week. We had wonderful visit from Uncle S. and his soon-to-be bride K. filled with lots of partying and visiting. The boys had Sports Camp. There were three birthdays in the family. And the weekend was spent painting Maisey's room. We are still finishing up (pictures will be coming soon), but how fun it is to finally be at this point. We have baby things back in our house! The boys' crib is back! We get to decorate a girl room! Mind you, I didn't go all pink or anything. But a little girly with a little Chinese flavor is definitely in order. I can't wait to have it all set up.

You just don't know

Maisey,

How are you?  I know you can't answer that question, but I ask it often as I think about you.  You don't even know that anything in your life has changed, but wow, has it changed for you.

You don't know that you have two brothers who can't wait to meet you and show you all they know.  You don't know that you have a mother who has not slept since she first saw your picture.  You don't know that there are countless family members who long to dote on you.  You don't know that you have a church full of people that are praying for you (and us.)  You don't know that there is a God who created you, loves you, and longs to be your savior. You don't know that you have a Dad who worries about how good a Dad he'll be for a little girl.  You don't know that your life will never be the same again!

You don't know, but you will soon.

Love you Maisey,
Dad

Progress

Now that we are in the travel phase, the waiting feels like it has more of a purpose. Our Letter Seeking Confirmation has gone to China. We have already heard from the travel specialist from Great Wall and been given another list of tasks to complete. We are waiting for the Consulate to issue us an Article 5. Once we have this, it will be sent to the CCCWA. From there, we will wait for our official Travel Approval. Our travel dates depend on when the TA arrives, and also on the appointments we are given by the Consulate. In the meantime, we are working on getting visas and gathering paperwork. We also need to make an appointment at the UCONN Travel Center to get all of our shots for the trip (ouch!). The boys are having a busy summer, too. We just finished a week of Summer Bible Club at our church and swimming lessons. Steve and Grampa are building the boys a really cool tree-fort-without-a-tree. It was a promise Steve made to the boys last year, and he wanted to do it before life gets really crazy around here. I'm thinking it may end up with some pink and curtains before too long.